Sony World Photography Awards 2025: The Best Nature & Wildlife Images of the Year
The Sony World Photography Awards 2025 have once again showcased some of the most breathtaking nature photography, wildlife photography, and landscape photography from around the world. This year’s winners captured the raw beauty of the natural world with stunning compositions, powerful storytelling, and unmatched technical skill.
In this post, we’ll explore the two main winners in the Natural World & Wildlife and Landscape Photography categories, as well as highlight other exceptional photographers whose work reflects a deep connection to the outdoors.
Best Wildlife Photography of 2025: Stunning Moments from the Natural World
Estebane Rezkallah – “The Whale Raft” (Winner, Natural World & Wildlife Category)
One of the most striking images of the year was "The Whale Raft" by French photographer Estebane Rezkallah. This stunning shot captures a group of polar bears feasting on a whale carcass in Greenland’s Arctic wilderness. The composition, lighting, and subject create a powerful story about survival in one of Earth’s harshest environments.
© Estebane Rezkallah, France, Winner, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Why This Photo Stands Out:
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Captures a rare, intimate moment in Arctic wildlife photography
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Highlights the fragile balance of the polar ecosystem
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Uses expert composition to lead the viewer’s eye across the scene
Other Notable Wildlife Photography Picks
Hasan Bağlar – Cyprus
© Hasan Bağlar, Cyprus, Shortlist, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Christopher Baker – United States
© Christopher Baker, United States Shortlist, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Anirban Dutta – India
© Anirban Dutta, India, Shortlist, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
To see more amazing photos, check out the official 'Natural World & Wildlife' gallery.
Best Landscape Photography of 2025: Capturing Nature’s Majesty
Ng Guang Ze – "Curved Stream" (Winner, Landscape Category)
Landscape photography allows us to see the grandeur of nature from a new perspective, and Ng Guang Ze’s "Curved Stream" is a masterclass in composition. This award-winning image captures a peaceful, meandering stream cutting through dark grasslands toward a vast, still lake. The soft, muted colors evoke a sense of serenity and solitude.
© Ng Guang Ze, Singapore, Winner, Open Competition, Landscape, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Why This Landscape Image is Exceptional:
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Uses leading lines to create depth and movement
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Showcases the contrast between light and shadow in nature photography
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Has an almost painterly quality, making it look like an artwork
Other Notable Landscape Photography Picks
Victor De Valles Ibañez – Spain
© Victor De Valles Ibañez, Spain, Shortlist, Open Competition, Landscape, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Vilhelm Gunnarsson – Iceland
© Vilhelm Gunnarsson, Iceland, Shortlist, Open Competition, Landscape, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Francisco Negroni – Chile
© Francisco Negroni, Chile, Shortlist, Open Competition, Landscape, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
To see more amazing photos, check out the official 'Landscape' gallery.
Other Notable Photographers: Travel & Lifestyle Picks
Exceptional outdoor photography is not limited to nature and landscapes. Here are some compelling photographers from the Lifestyle and Travel categories whose work captures the spirit of adventure and exploration.
Travel Photography Picks
Nicola Ducati – Italy
© Nicola Ducati, Italy, Shortlist, Open Competition, Travel, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Mike Hellebrand – United Kingdom
© Mike Hellebrand, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Open Competition, Travel, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Shubhodeep Roy – India
© Shubhodeep Roy, India, Shortlist, Open Competition, Travel, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Lifestyle Photography Picks
Wan Yong Chong – Malaysia
© Wan Yong Chong , Malaysia, Shortlist, Open Competition, Lifestyle, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Scott Seager – United States
© Scott Seager, United States, Shortlist, Open Competition, Lifestyle, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Emma Rogers - New Zealand
© Emma Rogers, New Zealand, Shortlist, Open Competition, Lifestyle, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
To see all the photos and galleries from the contest, make sure to visit the official Sony World Photography Awards 2025 gallery.
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